Tiding

Tiding is a noun traditionally meaning a piece of news or information. In modern English, tidings is the standard plural form and is more common in print and speech. The singular form tiding is now largely archaic and primarily encountered in historical texts, poetry, or stylistic writing.

Etymology and history: The word derives from Old English tid, tidung, or related forms in other Germanic languages, originally denoting time, season, or event. Over time its sense shifted toward news or reports about events. The plural form tidings appeared in early modern usage and became the fixed expression for news, as in “good tidings.”

Usage: Tiding appears mainly in historical or literary contexts. Modern usage tends to prefer tidings or simply news, information, or reports. Common phrases include good tidings, bring tidings, or tidings of comfort and joy. It also figures in biblical or ceremonial language to convey messages of announcement, promise, or reassurance. In everyday language, writers and editors usually select tidings or news to avoid archaism.

See also: Tidings, news, information, reports. Note that tidings is the contemporary standard plural, while tiding is rarely used outside specific literary or historical contexts.